Carton and closure means therefor



Aug. 7, 1962 s. P. SANFORD CARTON AND CLOSURE mus THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 3.

Filed Aug. 24, 1960 IN V EN TOR.

STUHET RJfl/VFOED Aug. 7, 1962 s. P. SANFORD 3,048,321

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'2 "Hi? '5 6 I9 26' I5 United States Patent This invention relates to cartons and, more particularly, to an improved break-apart or so-called duplex type carton and to means for closing the ends of such a carton.

When packing certain types of articles, such as miniature photofiash lamps for example which are sold in lots rather than singly, it has been found desirable to load them into a container which can be conveniently separated by the purchaser into two units, each containing a predetermined number of lamps. Heretofore this has been accomplished by inserting the lamps into an apertured platform and an outer wrapper or sleeve to form a lamp pack which could be broken apart along perforated lines that encircled the sleeve and platform. While this so-called sleeve pack enabled the lamp user to break the package into more compact units, considerable time and effort were required by the packer to load the lamps into the platform and sleeve and by the purchaser to withdraw them therefrom.

A more desirable pack would be one wherein the lamps were bulk loaded into a boxboard container that was partitioned in such a manner that it could be separated into two independent and totally enclosed units. Such duplex break-apart cartons per se are well known and one type is shown in US. Patent No. 1,842,205 to L. J. Russell.

However, the prior art duplex cartons were rather expensive in that they required a side wall that was common to both segments of the carton and of double thickness thereby to provide a backing sheet for such segments, as in the aforementioned patent to Russell, and were impractical because they did not provide means for locking the severed ends' of the closure flap to their respective segments. Thus, when the carton was broken apart the outward pressure exerted by the loosely packed lamps on the end flaps would cause the unanchored ends thereof to open up and allow the bulbs to spill out. Be-

cause of this it was heretofore not feasible to pack articles of relatively large mass, such as the so-called No. photofiash lamps for example, in such cartons since the outward pressure on the end walls was great enough to completely dislodge the end flaps.

With the foregoing in mind it is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved duplex type carton which requires a minimum of material and which can be quickly and conveniently assembled, loaded and closed.

Another and more specific object is the provision of a duplex type carton that completely and securely encloses the packed articles even after the carton is separated into two units.

Still another object is the provision of means for simply and effectively locking the central portions of the end flaps of a collapsible duplex type carton to the respective segments of the carton.

The aforesaid objects, and others which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by utilizing a two-ply partition to d vide the carton into two compartments and providing a pair of gussets at each end of the carton which are so hinged to the partition and end flap and coupled to each other that they automatically break in the proper direction when the canon is set up for use. Shoulders provided on the edge of each of the gussets snap-interlock with slits in the end fiap assembly 3,048,321 Patented Aug. 7, 1962 "ice when the latter is closed thereby effecting the desired anchorage of the central portions of the end flap.

A better understanding of the invention will be obtained by referring to the accompanying drawings where- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved duplex type carton according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the blank from which the carton shown in FIG. 1 is formed;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the ends of the blank shown in FIG. 2 illustrating the first step in the assembly of the blank into carton form;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of the collapsed carton formed from the blank shown in the preceding figures;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through one end of the collapsed carton along the line VI-VI of FIG. 4, in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a top view into the interior of the carton just after it has been erected and closed at one end preparatory to loading;

FIGS. 8 to 10 are perspective views of one end of the carton illustrating the manner in which the end fiap thereat is securely locked in closing relationship with both segments of the carton in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one corner of the closed carton illustrating the slit-lock anchorage of the end flap effected by the collapsed centrally-located gussets according to the invention.

With specific reference to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is shown a duplex type carton C which incorporates the novel partition and locking means of the present invention. The carton is severable into two separate and totally enclosed units along a perforated line 26' that bisects the common side wall 12 and end flaps 24 and 25 (the latter being hidden from view). To conserve material the carton C is fabricated from a single piece of relatively stiff material such as boxboard or the like cut and scored to form a blank B of the type shown in FIG. 2. As there shown, the blank is of elongated configuration and divided by a series of transverse parallel spaced score lines 21 into a plurality of hinged panels which comprise, in terms of their function, a centrally-located common side wall 12 from which other side walls 13 and 14, one ply 15 of the partition member, and a glue flap 16 laterally depend in that order. This construction is duplicated at the other end of the blank thereby providing another set of hinged panels comprising side walls 17 and 18, a partition ply l9 and a glue flap 20.

Closure of the carton C is effected by means of end flaps 24 and 25 which are hinged to the end edges of the common side wall 12, and by pairs of tuck flaps 26-27 and 28-29 hinged to each of the aforesaid end flaps. Locking flaps 22 connected to the ends of the smaller side walls 13 and 17 are provided with shoulders 44 located adjacent their hinged ends, which shoulders are adapted to snap-interl0ck with slits 40 provided at the ends of the hinged juncture between the end and tuck flaps and thereby form a well-known slit-lock when the tuck flaps are inserted into the carton. The aforementioned perforated line 26' bisects the common side wall 12 and end flaps 24 and '25 to enable the carton to be broken into two segments.

The desired anchorage of the central portions of the end flaps 24 and 25 at, but on opposite sides of, the cleavage plane of the carton C defined by the aforesaid perforated line 26 is achieved in accordance with this invention by providing collapsible gussets 35 at each end of the partition plys l5 and 19. As shown in the upper right hand portion of the blank B as viewed in FIG. 2, each of the aforesaid gussets 35 comprise an anchoring panel 32 and a locking panel 34 which are of triangular configuration and adapted to collapse into overlapping relation along a diagonal score line 31. The locking panel 34 is provided with a shoulder 42 at the end of the score line 30 that hingedly joins it to the partition ply 15. The gusset 35 attached to the other ply 19 at the opposite corner of the blank B is identical except that the anchoring panel 32 is provided with a rigid semicircular tab 36 which, as shown in the upper left hand corner of the blank B as viewed in FIG. 2, is cut from the adjoining glue flap 20. The opposite ends of the partition plys and 19 are also provided with such gussets which, in order to avoid unduly complicating the drawing, are identified in this and other figures by the numeral 35.

Assembly of the blank B into carton form is achieved by first swinging the glue flaps 16 and over and against the partition plys 15 and 19, as illustrated in FIG. 3. As there shown, the adhesive coating (which is indicated by the stippled region) on the glue flap 20 does not extend beyond the line that is tangent to the semicircular openings left in the flap by the tabs 36 and 37 which project therefrom. The resultant clear strip along the outermost edge of the glue flap 20 is necessary to prevent the aforesaid tabs from being glued to the adjoining gusset 35 when the glue flaps 16 and 20 are attached (in the named order) to the inner face of the common wall 12 is aligned but ofiset relation with the perforated line 26, as shown in FIG. 4.

At this stage of assembly the carton C is ready to be set up and lies flat, with the common wall 12 and adjoining smaller side walls 13 and 14 overlying the other side walls 17 and 18 and the partition plys 15 and 19, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The gussets 35 are disposed side by side in pairs on opposite sides of the perforated line 26' with the tabs 36 and 37 overlying the anchoring panels 32 of the adjoining gusset, which anchoring panels are attached to the inner face of the adjacent end flaps 24 and 25 by means of the glue flaps l6 and 20, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The partition plys 15 and 19 are also on opposite sides of the perforated line 26' so that the plane of cleavage of the canon C lies between said plys, as illustrated in FIG. 4. It should also be noted that the score lines 31 along which the gussets collapse extend diagonally outward from the corners formed by the junction of said end flaps and the respective ends of said partition plys.

To set up the carton C pressure is simply applied to the side edges of the assembled blank. This causes the carton to swing into upstanding position, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6. This also causes the partition plys 15 and 19 and the pairs of gussets 35 attached thereto to swing upwardly toward each other thereby bending the rigid tabs 36 and 37 in the same direction and forcing approaches fully erected position. As a result, erection of the carton C automatically causes each of the gussets to be pressed inwardly and subsequently bow or break along their respective score lines 31 in a direction away from each other and toward the end flap to which they are attached, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. (In FIG. 7 the carton is shown with one end already closed preparatory to loading.) The gussets are accordingly automatically prebroken in the proper direction to allow them to collapse flat when the end flap (the end flap 24 in the case here illustrated) is swung into enclosing relationship with the end of the carton C, as shown in FIG. 9. As indicated, the locking flaps 22 are first inturned whereupon the end flap is swung toward the carton and the tuck flaps 26 and 27 inserted into the compartments formed by the upstanding two-ply partition.

When the aforesaid tuck flaps are in fully inserted position the gussets 35 are collapsed and the shoulders 42 and 44 on the locking panels 34 and locking flaps 22, respectively, are snap-interlocked with the slits in the end flap assembly, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, thereby providing an anchoring slit-slot. Thus, the end flap 24 is securely anchored at both ends and at two intermediate points that are located proximate to but on opposite sides of the plane of cleavage of the carton C, thereby locking both halves of the end flap in enclosing relationship with the respective segments of the carton even after the latter are separated.

While both ends of the carton C are closed by end flaps as here shown, one end of the carton could be closed by means of a permanently anchored bottom wall if desired.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the objects of the invention have been achieved by providing an improved duplex type carton which can be very conveniently and inexpensively fabricated from a single piece of packaging material and just as conveniently set up for use and closed. In addition, a novel two-ply partition and self-actuating flap-locking means have 'been provided which not only facilitate the closure of the carton but securely lock both sections of the end flaps in place even after the carton has been separated into two segments.

While one embodiment has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various modifications in the configuration and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A carton comprising four side walls and a bottom wall, a separable two-ply partition connected to opposed side walls dividing said carbon into two compartments, an end flap hingedly connected to one of said opposed side walls for closing both compartments of said carton, a pair of tuck flaps hingedly connected to said end flaps and insertable into the adjacent ones of said compartments, locking panels hinged to each of the plys of said partition and to the proximate intermediate portions of said end flap, said locking panels being swingable toward the respective compartments when said end flap is swung toward the end of said carton, each of said locking panels having a shoulder at one edge adapted to interlock with a slit located at the end of the hinged juncture between said tuck flaps with said end flap when said tuck flaps are inserted into the carton, said end flap and bottom wall together with said opposed side walls being weakened along lines that define a cleavage plane which passes between the plys of said partition thereby rendering said carton conveniently separable along said plane into two self-contained units the severed sides whereof are closed by the separated plys of said partition, said end flaps by virtue of the interlocking of the slits therein and the shoulder portions of said locking panels being anchored in closed position at points located proximate to and on opposite sides of said cleavage plane.

2. A carton as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the side wall to which the end flap is attached comprises a single panel that is perforated along the plane of cleavage of said carton, and the other of said opposed side walls comprises two panels the inward edges whereof are connected to the proximate ones of the plys of said partition.

3. A carton as set forth in claim 1 wherein, the side walls joining said opposed side walls are provided with hinged locking flaps, and the locking panels hinged to the plys of said partition constitute parts of a pair of gussets the other ends whereof are hingedly connected to the inner face of said end flap.

4. A carton as set forth in claim 1 wherein, said bottom wall comprises a hinged end-and-tuck flap assembly that is locked in inserted position, and said side walls and two-ply partition are hingedly connected and proportioned to collapse into a common plane with said end and tuck flaps and with said locking panels.

5. A carton as set forth in claim 1 that is collapsible and formed from an integral cut and scored blank.

6. In a collapsible break-apart carton having a body portion which includes a pair of opposed side walls and is divided into two compartments by a separable two-ply partition hingedly connected to said opposed side walls, and wherein closure of the ends of said carton is effected by means of end flaps hinged to one of said opposed side walls and provided with a pair of hinged tuck flaps that are insertable into said compartments, said opposed side walls and said end flaps being weakened along lines that define a cleavage plane that lies between the plys of said partition thereby enabling said carton to be severed along said plane into two self-contained segmentsfmeans for anchoring intermediate portions of said end flaps located proximate to and on opposite sides of the aforesaid cleavage plane in closing relationship with the respective segments of said carton, said means comprising a pair of gussets at each end of the carton hingedly connected to the inner face of the end flap thereat and to the proximate ends of each of the plys of said partition, a slit at the adjoining ends of the hinged junctures between said tuck flaps and their respective end flaps, a shoulder at the edge of each of said gussets disposed and shaped to engage and snap-interlock with said slits when said tuck flaps are inserted into their respective compartments, a rigid tab integral with and extending from one of said gussets into overlying relationship with the adjacent gusset, said tabs in response to the erection of the plys of said partition and subsequent upward movement of said pairs of gussets toward each other being forced by virute of their rigidity against the gussets which they overlie and resisting the erection thereof resulting in the application of pressure to both pairs of gussets during the setting up of said carton that causes said gussets to break in a direction away from each other and toward the end flap to which they are attached, thereby automatically prebreaking said gussets in the proper direction to enable them to collapse and permit said end flaps to be swung into overlapping relationship therewith and into interlocking relationship with said shoulders.

7. An automatic prebreaking gusset assembly for locking the end flap of a collapsible break-apart carton as set forth in claim 6 wherein, each of said gussets includes a score line that extends diagonally outward from the corner formed by the juncture of said end flap and the respective ply of said partition, and said score lines divide the respective gussets into a locking panel having the aforesaid shoulder and an anchoring panel that is hingedly secured to the inner face of said end flap.

8. An automatic prebreaking gusset assembly for locking the end flap of a collapsible break-apart carton as set forth in claim 6 wherein said gussets constitute integral parts of the plys of said partition to which they are hinged.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

